Ecuador Economy Profile 2012

Primary education is free and compulsory, and about 80 per cent of the people are literate. The Central University in Quito, founded in 1769, is the oldest of the country's universities. Catholicism is the predominant religion.

The education budget has increased and as a result 12,000 new teaching posts have been created. Free education has become a reality at the three levels. Enrollment figures at the primary level increased by 23% in 2008. There has also been a program to offer free books and school dinners. Despite these changes, research and development activity remains limited, as these processes need several years in order to show results.